Obituary for Charles Paul Olender, Jr.

Charles Paul Olender Jr., 77, passed on August 13, 2022 at his home in Danby Township, Michigan.

Charlie was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, September 2, 1944 to Charles Paul Sr. and Clara Marie (Hall) Olender.

After graduating from Michigan State University, he joined BNDD in Detroit, Michigan, which later became DEA. Never one to sit still, Charlie jumped at the chance to move from Detroit to Turkey, back to Detroit, to Washington D.C., to Belgium, then to Ohio, back to Detroit again, and finally ending his career in Washington D.C. (again with Interpol). His career was varied and colorful and often referred to by his family as "The Nine Lives of Charlie". He was revered as the strongest man in Turkey after opening beer bottles with his bare hands. Charlie avoided being caught in a massive shooting at the Athens airport by the PLO. While on stakeout in 1975, he narrowly missed his chance for notoriety identifying the person who took Jimmy Hoffa by looking the other way. He used up his ninth life as the first car to make it over the Potomac Bridge when an Air Florida plane crashed into the Potomac River in 1982. His stories from Belgium are currently classified.

An avid animal lover and collector of cats, Charlie spent much of his retirement rescuing and nurturing local wildlife, including a groundhog who became fondly known as "Little Chuck", raccoons, and many beloved cats (12).

Charlie will be remembered by his wife, Judith Ann (Augst) Olender, of 57 years, his daughters, Alyson (Shawn) Scanlon and Elise (Zachary) Churchill, granddaughters, Ava and Alayna Scanlon and Shay and Gemma Churchill, his two brothers, Steve (Patti) Olender and Mark (Judy) Olender, brother-in-law, John (Mary Ann) Augst, aunt, Mary (Don) Kidder, life-long mentor and friend, Dr. Donald (Elsie) Overy, his nieces and nephews, and dear friends near and far.

At his request no services will be held. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.